Taking a bite out of the big apple — First, Twitter was a fun side project, then it was cared for lovingly at Obvious until it was time to form Twitter, Inc. Today, we're excited to announce an important moment for Twitter. We've raised funding from our friends in New York City at Union Square Ventures.

Twitter — The Internet is largely a communications medium. It's also used for content distribution, commerce, and a number of other things. But the thing I do most on the Internet is communicate. Via email, Skype, instant messaging, blogging, commenting, and twittering. It makes sense.

The Twitter Lesson: No Business Plans Please — Seeing that Twitter closed a funding round, and spotting the associated incredulity about Evan's company not having a business plan, reminded me of something: Whatever your feelings about Twitter, business plans are overrated, and profits perhaps even more so.

BBC online player launches — The BBC's flagship online TV service is being launched, offering viewers the chance to download their favourite programmes from the last seven days. — For director general Mark Thompson, the launch of iPlayer is as big a milestone as the arrival of colour TV.

Google 'the most improved brand' — Google is the brand that has gained the most in value over the past year, according a survey of global brands. — The report from Interbrand found that Google's brand value had risen 44% in the past 12 months to $17.8bn (£8.8bn), which put it in 20th place.

Think You Might Be Addicted to Email? You're Not Alone — New AOL Survey Reveals that More Americans are Using Portable Devices to Email Around the Clock from Virtually Anywhere - in the Bathroom, While Driving and Even in Church — 83% of Email Users Checking on Vacation; Many Plan Getaways Around Access

HBO comedy site shut down — This Just In offered celebrity riffs, comic videos — This Just In, the comedy site HBO envisioned as both a brand extension and a potential development pipeline, is being shut down just six months after launching. — Time Warner will unwind the venture …

VMware lands Cisco as investor — Cisco Systems said Friday it will invest $150 million in VMware, joining Intel as a strategic investor. — After the investment Cisco will own 1.6 percent of VMware's outstanding shares. VMware will also consider appointing a Cisco executive to its board in the future.

VMware and Cisco Announce Investment — PALO ALTO, Calif. and SAN JOSE, Calif., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — VMware, Inc. today announced that Cisco Systems will acquire an equity stake in the company. — Cisco will purchase $150 million of VMware Class A common shares currently held …

Is Google on Crack? — This week I was supposed to explain why U.S. broadband prices are so much higher and U.S. broadband speeds are so much lower than in most other developed countries, but then Google made an unexpected reckless move in the wireless bandwidth market and here I am trying to explain it.

Financial Analyst Meeting 2007 — RAY OZZIE: Thanks, Robbie. — Thanks for coming, and thanks for your time and attention today. I really appreciate the fact that you came here. — It's been about a year since I assumed the CSA role from Bill, and the CSA role itself is a fairly interesting …

TiVo's Catch-22 — TiVo's survival depends on cable. Cable has limited incentives to see it succeed. Does TiVo have a way out? — This week, the company that has amassed such powerful brand equity that it has become a verb ("Did you TiVo The Sopranos finale?") announced that it is working hard …

What's Really Going On With Podtech? — There have been a number of reports that silicon valley based Podtech is literally falling apart. I spoke to Podtech CEO John Furrier and asked him how many of the rumors are true. While he certainly fed me a certain amount of spin, the company has at least a few signs of life.

Now We're Not Talking: Telstra Bans Facebook — Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, has banned its approximately 49,000 employees from using Facebook. — As Cameron Reilly at G'Day World puts it, "This would be a retarded move for ANY company, let alone a company …